model institution at Hastings?

To all of which I responded affably and openly. Then I
permitted myself a question or two: just what sort of youthful
training had been required to produce such a model of logic,
accuracy, dignity, and common sense as I saw sitting before me?
Through persistent prodding I elicited a few forlorn facts, but
all quite respectable. You'd think, from his reticence, there'd
been a hanging in the family. The MacRae PERE was born in
Scotland, and came to the States to occupy a chair at Johns
Hopkins; son Robin was shipped back to Auld Reekie for his
education. His grandmother was a M'Lachlan of Strathlachan (I am
sure she sounds respectable), and his vacations were spent in the
Hielands a-chasing the deer.

So much could I gather; so much, and no more. Tell me, I
beg, some gossip about my enemy--something scandalous by
preference.

Why, if he is such an awfully efficient person does he bury
himself in this remote locality? You would think an up-and-
coming scientific man would want a hospital at one elbow and a
morgue at the other. Are you sure that he didn't commit a crime
and isn't hiding from the law?

I seem to have covered a lot of paper without telling you
much. VIVE LA BAGATELLE!
Yours as usual,

SALLIE.